Hi friends, 

There are many questions that I get asked over and over again - and to better answer those questions I am going to start weekly videos and blogs to help the SSP family (new and old members) get the answers. 

On tap this week, session styles...

THE QUESTION:  What is the difference between an in-home Lifestyle Session and a Full Studio Session? 

The SIMPLE Answer: Posing

For the Lifestyle Session, SSP takes a very photojournalistic approach (that can be as structured or candid as you like). Meaning, we are going to focus on you as a family in a more natural environment, your home. Photos will take place in the BEST LIT part of your house (more on this in a moment)... which might mean the master bedroom, the nursery, the living room, or even a guest room or den. The majority of the session will focus on you as a FAMILY - this may even include your first baby, the doggie or cat. Don't fret, we will get photos of your new baby alone, and photos with siblings, and parents together and individual as well. 

THE BIGGEST DIFFERENCE in these images is that I won't have a studio of stuff at my side. I will bring my camera, myself, a few wraps, and headbands/hats with me and that is pretty much it! Sometimes I will bring one prop, like a bowl or basket, for a simple prop shot, but beyond that we will focus on taking your newest little one's photos in the crib, maybe on a cute chair or poof, on the master bed, etc.; just them in their home environment. 

This is confusing sometimes because there are lots of amazing photographers (maybe you've even used one in the past) who have come to your home and brought a whole set-up - and guess what, I used to do that too! BUT since I got my new, beautiful studio, I keep the two types of sessions separate. 

STUDIO SESSIONS are where you get the squishy and naked poses, usually on a fabric backdrop, as well as different props... little beds, cradles, wreathes, unique boxes etc. I do not do any studio posing during lifestyle sessions. Now this is not to say I won't bring a wrap, which I do, and wrap them all snugly for you to cradle and hold or so we can set them somewhere cute, but they are just TWO different types of posing. 

*Below you will get to see a sampling from each type of session. 

LIGHT - Lighting is SO VERY IMPORTANT when considering whether or not to have a session in your home. NATURAL, not overhead, but lots of beautiful window light, is what makes those gorgeous lifestyle session images you see and love the most. I have worked with both situations and natural light is such a huge bonus and overhead lights really do not give off the right feel to the session - which is why I try to use them as rarely as possible. So, if your home faces the wrong direction, or is like my first home, a dark den, I suggest coming into the studio regardless. 

BUT WHAT IF I REALLY WANT THAT LIFESTYLE FEEL???? ... but have terrible in-home light? Well I have a couch, bed, crib and more in the studio to create that lifestyle feel IN studio (and LOTS of natural light and big windows). 

But what if I really, REALLY like the squishy, naked studio photos, but want photos in my nursery...with my doggie... at our home?

Well then I have the perfect combo session, The Sweet and Simple + Lifestyle Mini - you get a newborn mini and lifestyle mini. During the STUDIO portion - JUST THE BABY will be photographed, in the cute squishy poses we all adore, and then at home we will focus on the family/siblings/doggies etc.! The best of both worlds!

We have lots of different options here at SSP and we want you to have exactly the perfect kind of session for your growing family! Let us know if you have questions or want to book one of these awesome newborn collections. 

Collection information can be found HERE AND HERE

Joyfully, 
Sara

LIFESTYLE SAMPLE

STUDIO EXAMPLE: